Story of A Marriage

A book full of victory and sadness. One point of personal sadness is that this book was first published in 1953, yet I never saw it until this year with my Kindle Unlimited membership!

With documentation,
the author weaves a beautiful story of a marriage. Mary and Abraham Lincoln
were matched in the variety of ways which contribute to the togetherness that
should be marriage. They stood ready to
defend one another, had their ‘inside’ jokes and shared visions for family and
future. Their faith in God was derided
and challenged, yet stayed firm. Even
today, over one hundred years later, their faith is discussed, dissected and
challenged. That faith inspired me all through the book.

From Different
Worlds

Certainly, the
specifics of their upbringing may differ.
Abe Lincoln was reared by the rough pioneer lifestyle common among folks
of his age. These people had intellect or they wouldn’t have survived the rough
conditions that come with breaking into new country. They shouldn’t be
considered impoverished because they had few THINGS. The desire for culture
that Mary found in Lincoln wasn’t a new dna wrinkle with that one man;
somewhere in his roots lay the beginnings.
The Lincoln family didn’t own slaves — they didn’t own much of
anything, but the experience of being very poor and made to feel ‘lower’, may
have influenced Lincoln’s opinions and choices when he was grown. The author
documents a sensitive and sympathetic man who would have been repulsed by
slavery.

Mary’s home life was
pretty grand compared to Mr. Lincoln’s.
(In an aside, according to the author’s research, she never called him
Abe, but most usually, Mr. Lincoln. This would have been common and appropriate
among genteel ladies of her era) The
Todd family did own slaves in Kentucky, but Mary’s grandfather supported
gradual emancipation of the slaves before any freedom was a popular
opinion. The black people who took care
of Mary and her siblings had a certain amount of tyrannical power over the
children, even though they were officially slaves. The author documents Mary’s sympathetic
opinion for good treatment of the slaves. Later, she was extremely supportive
of her husband’s proclamation to free slaves.
Sadly, her political and social enemies spread rumors that surely a
daughter of the south would be pro-slavery and pro-secession.

Standing by their
families

Despite the
differences on their background, along with the objections of family due to
these differences, Abraham and Mary found attraction and devotion to one
another in their similar interests, intellects and core values.

When Mary’s family
was inclined to hold grudges about the war, both Abraham and Mary embraced the
offended ones in their grief. They shared the grief of family members killed
during the war and bore no grudges back when family lashed out. When Abraham’s family had needs, both were
inclined to do what they could to keep his parents (including step-mother)
comfortable. After Abraham’s death, Mary
still sent support to his step-mother.

Marriage Takes Two

They maintained
familial tenderness in their address of one another after their children were
born. He called her Mother and she called him Father. They were absolutely supportive of one
another when their children died young. This
supportive behavior often left each almost alone because they didn’t
support themselves. They equally adored
and indulged their children with their TIME as well as whatever tangibles they
were able to provide. There were detractors among their colleagues and family
who disagreed with the devotion that Mary and Abraham had toward these
children.

The Lincolns had
many problems to face in their marriage. Their devotion to one another kept
them on the same side despite family resistance, grief and stress of the
presidency. They bore the burden of 19th
century household logistics along with everyone else!

19th Century was
harsh living

The author writes
eloquently and with detail about the actual family life lived by Mary and
Abraham Lincoln as he occupied the highest office in the land. The physical crudeness of the affluent
American home during these times was shocking.
We are, today, pressed to sanitize and wash and even radiate to protect
and promote cleanliness and health. Yet,
typhoid and small pox seemed to be EXPECTED even in the White House.

Personal Political
Cruelty

Perhaps I couldn’t
have born the sadness earlier as I read of political cruelty of the 19th
Century. Without the benefit of social
media, political competition and vile personal haters fed their poisoned
opinions and tales to gossips to hurt and attempt to destroy.

Maligners attacked
Mary Lincoln to her face. They snubbed her as being countrified without
checking the facts of her genteel upbringing.
No doubt that ladylike experience didn’t expose her to much of the
metropolitan lifestyle. Her midwestern (western still in the 1800’s) lifestyle
was moral, well-fed and amply dressed, yet there were small things that her
‘big city’ contacts lived every day that were new to her.

Further, the critics
took advantage of her naivete, sensitive, ‘high strung’ personality to set her
off in defense of her husband and her culture.
While they couldn’t crush her husband with their criticism, they did
manage to over-stress Mary and use her to make more trouble.

The Non-historian
who lied

I was aghast at the
blind acceptance of one man’s word on Lincoln’s spiritual beliefs. The accepting rabble and upper crust had as
much access to Lincoln’s spoken expression as they did to the man who was
considered his friend and colleague. But
as continues to this day, the truth if often much less stimulating than the
lie.

This book made my
heart hurt for this family, so significant in our history. Today, we deal with
social media and think it is often cruel.
I can’t imagine the loneliness the Lincoln’s experienced to be rejected
and have a very small ‘tribe’ compared to the tribe we can have through
internet connection today.

When you see links in posts, assume they are affiliate links. When you click on the link and make a purchase of qualified products, I will receive a small commission. I am proud to be an Amazon affiliate along with other resources.

Tennessee In Real Life — Hiking the Hills

Because, in another life, Stepp and her husband enjoy hiking the various trails in their region, she has a good view of the geography to put into the stories.

The couple write non-fiction books featuring the hiking trails they enjoy so much. Readers rate their charming early hiking book, The Afternoon Hiker, a favorite. Admired by hikers who don’t want to spend more than a day on the trail, the Stepp’s book brings their experience with an amazing number of trails. Candid photos shot on the trails bring their personal touch to the description of their experience on each trail. Directions to each trail along with a rating for difficulty help readers plan their own day trips through amazing scenery.

New Look at Tennessee from the Stepp Cameras and Pens

2018 brought the debut of the newest team effort from the Stepp authors. Discovering Tennessee State Parks. I was surprised by the numbers — Tennessee has a whopping fifty-six state parks! j.L. and Lin have visited each park to bring their readers up close to the recreational and activity opportunities offered in each location. The photos are, again, candid, often including the authors as they enjoy their park outing. With the volume of parks they have been able to be out in all seasons. The colors from each season and views are stunning.

In the Amazon sample, you can read about one park with the photos I wrote about earlier. The writing is easy, conversational style…just as you might use to tell me about your favorite place while encouraging me to visit that spot. The newest book is available in digital format which is nice for travelers to have handy without having to worry about damage to the actual paper book.

Writing about Their Tennessee Home!

The authors are Tennessee natives. Lin uses her love for the regional scenery to expand her fiction books with descriptions of the country. Because the stories in each location are delivered lovingly, the ‘research’ rings true, pulling a reader in. From an early novel, Tell Me About Orchard Hollow to the most recent, Lost Inheritance, the stories are gently told with true faith, romance, mystery and risk making good reading for all. My husband enjoys reading them as much as I do…they are definitely not your ‘chick love story’ books.

Subscribe to Cardinal Bluff using the sidebar form to learn more about new books from this terrific pair of authors.

How exciting to see
COUNTENANCE available! Joy Ross Davis
has worked with a new publisher, bringing this terrific story come back to
readers.

Joy tells about the republishing experience at her website in a recent post. Countenance is Available. The new and improved COUNTENANCE is welcomed. Former readers will want to give the story another look because of elements that have been added. New readers will enjoy the paranormal battle over evil with romance and thrills. All will be looking for promised sequel stories carrying the saga of the Wolcott family.

Beautiful Tennessee Scenery in COUNTENANCE

The story still
takes place at the beautiful Playhouse Inn Bed and Breakfast in the mountain
country of Tennessee.

The characters act
out their parts with greater color and drama.
There are not new characters, but more action from the solid group who
work out the story.

Inspired Story Well Received by Reviewers

This special story contains heart connections to Joy’s non-fiction book, “Mother, Can You Hear Me.” The inspiration for the story came to the author during a quiet moment. She had been caregiver for her mother during a battle with Alzheimer’s. The story inspiration came in full in just a few weeks after the first gift of the title COUNTENANCE.

Chanticleer Book Reviews gave the book a lovely review before the October release date. I agree with the reviewer’s opinion and perception of the story. Chanticleer Review

Sylvie Wolcott is
cooking up a gourmet storm while the storms of life swirl around her niece,
Nealey. Benton, Lulu and other valued
characters help with the kitchen and the dramatic battle against evil.

I encourage you to get your copy today! I’ve gotten mine on the Kindle, handy for re-reading many times! And give the author reviews at your favorite spots online, in print or conversation! Amazon Review

Congratulations, Joy
Ross Davis, on your patience, bravery and determination to keep this special
story available for readers. Keep
writing more for us!

This WW II story is the first book I’ve read from author Jonathan Paul Isaacs. This book takes readers into the depths of France during WW II for a very short time.

Recipe for WW II Reading Pleasure

Combine a wine making family with their vineyards, winery and country home with an English airman and a group of Nazi soldiers trapped by weather from reaching their destination. Mix well with secret sauce of resistance plans and what do you get? A fast, not very long story that doesn’t rely on profanity or erotica to get the story across. There is violence because this is war. Men are beaten during interrogation, a young woman is slapped, insulted and raped (implied — readers do not get gory details). Others die in ambush or outright attack.

Observations about this WW II story

The Hazards of War offers history and culture in the times of war, the wine making industry and the lifestyles of Germany, France and England. Family is important. I thought the young heroine was a little outspoken for the times, but her behavior did help move the story forward. The people who are so horrendously kicked and struck recover pretty fast — a little too much like today’s TV. But, then, I’ve never had to endure any of this. So, who am I to say how fast recovery can happen. Events in this book had to be accomplished in a couple of days’ time spread, not a lot of opportunity to contemplate bruises. That’s how story telling works.

Even If WW II Didn’t Totally Intrigue me.

I read this story on my Kindle Unlimited account. It is one of few that I would consider purchasing to have in a permanent digital collection. I recommend The Hazards of War to readers as inspirational reading. Despite the violence which can make up the hazards of war in any generation, this book was a pleasure to read.

Incivility and Intolerance Can Stop

We live in a social climate of CLEAR INCIVILITY and intolerance. The conversation is certainly seldom ‘flinch free’. Instead we hear profanity trimmed with impatience, frustration, disrespect and ANGER. None of these behaviors are inspiring experiences for those who deliver or those who receive. The person who is acting or reacting with incivility isn’t enjoying peace or encouragement. Receiving wrath certainly brings no peace or inspiration. The people who are onlookers are marred nearly as much as the participants.

The behavioral
modification offered in this workbook has potential for healthy, compassionate
relationships, even as we live in crowded cities like rats in a trap!
Students/readers learn to recognize
triggers and hot buttons. That recognition is followed by techniques about how
to move forward in management for our behavior. Our managed behavior can have some influence
on others who don’t practice good management.

We can be the
management of ourselves. I liked the way
this work book uses graphics (especially some featuring a speedometer) to guide
readers into understanding what anger is, where it comes from and how we can be
pro-active to manage all of our emotions.

Some of The Good Things

Having a facilitator or accountability person to help with progress. Even though a dedicated person could go through this workbook alone, there is merit in being proud and having self-respect to tell others that I am studying how to manage my anger.

That the information isn’t a quick shot that doesn’t have much chance to embed in my mind. The workbook is set up to be gone through over a period of several weeks…enough time to build new habits.

The way the authors make an early point that anger is always preceded by another emotion.

Information about being pro-active to manage emotion.

Techniques that are applicable, such as managing judgment, expectations and reactions with thought, taking some time to think.

A pre-assessment before starting the book show where I am in the beginning. Then, I can measure how much I have accomplished in the post-assessment at the end. These personal, tangible observations in my own workbook help me. Being my own emotional manager empowers me.

NO judgement throughout the book. The information is going to be largely my responses in various tables and lists. I can WRITE in the book, making this MY anger management book. Criticism, judgement and intolerance are not any part of the content.

I may end up taking my copy apart. Then it can be three-hole punched, and placed into a protective binder. There is so much on-going usefulness in this workbook. The current format could become quite worn! Users will benefit from being able to return to the information for years to come.

The book is 100
pages in workbook style. It is paperback, but strong, using good paper. There
is plenty of space for writing your own information throughout.

Personal Anger Management Sessions

This workbook was written to acompany an ‘in person’ Anger Management Course offered by the authors in New York. Executive Coaching Individual sessions and group sessions are offered to clients at Long Island Anger Management. When the ‘in person’ course is completed, the student receives a certificate that the courts will recognize. There is no certificate offered for people who use the workbook independently.

I have not taken the course offered through the authors’ practice. I ordered the book so I could see what they were talking about. The authors are to be commended for offering the book outside of their practice. They bring opportunity to people all over the planet.

I recommend the workbook. Go forth and be inspired to manage your emotions and life as only you can do it.